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Can Guinea Pigs be depressed?

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guineapigs<3

guineapigs<3

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My Guinea Pig Lola seems to be depressed, she is 5 months old and was very hyper and happy, popcorning most of the day with my other Piggy Sienna, but we adopted another Piggy last week Holly who is 4 years, they get along, but only in the sense that they live together and don't fight, but ever since we got Holly, Lola spends her time on the level of the cage that isn't occupied by my other pigs and just generally has a sad look on her face, she just sits hiding away in her bed spending all her time alone and is eating sooo much more than she used to but hardly drinking at all, is she depressed or just unhappy that she didn't get to be the dominant one of my trio? I love her so much and am quite worried that she's not happy. :(
 
If you've just introduced a third sow into the mix, it shakes up the hierarchy for her. If the other two pigs have hit it off, she may be left to her own devices. I've only ever had pairs, so hopefully a member with a bigger group can give you more advice! I do know that my guinea pig was quite depressed after a cagemate passed away so I can imagine that 'losing' a friend over different circumstances would also potentially upset them.
 
This is true as Lola was defo the more dominant one of the two before Holly came. Sienna has become more nippy with Lola but Sienna is so laid back she wasn't bothered that Holly came into there crew, I just feel bad for her as Lola defo had the most vibrant personality and now she just lies by herself. I'll wait another week or so to see if she settles if not do you think I should take her to the vets? As I read that Guineas don't show that there ill until it's crucial and she may just be hiding the fact that she's poorly? xx
 
maybe she's just throwing a bit of a grump over no longer being in charge, things may well settle down I think time is needed. Its always a good idea to get a check over if you are concerned about health for any reason. One of the main signs of a piggy being ill will be losing weight so its best to weigh regularly to ensure they are not losing weight. At 5 months old I would still expect her to be gaining regular weight until she is fully grown
 
She's defo not losing weight if anything she is gaining it, last time we went to the vet he advised us to keep an eye on it as he doesn't want her gaining anymore, but she just eats all the time :... she's very chubby compared to Sienna. I'll keep an eye on her. thanks for your comments guys! x>>
 
Unfortunately, trios mean that you end up with an outsider problem more often than not. They are the most difficult constellation of piggies to get just right. And yes, guinea pigs can be depressed when they feel sidelined and excluded.
 
I have had various numbers of piggies at one time. Currently I have 3 boys. when I introduced Rory, the third piggy, the whole hierarchy went out of the window and they had to sort out a new one. Once Rory hit his teens it was shaken up again and now they are adults they seem to have settled down.

Bobby has always been the boss of the 3, although as he gets older he is certainly a little calmer! can still be grumpy though, but that's got nothing to do with the other piggies, well, most of the time it doesn't!

Billy was originally in second place, especially when he could boss Rory around. However, he is now in third place and quite happy there. He will spend time with the others, all squashed together in their bedroom. he will spend time alone, up or downstairs, and he will spend some time with Rory, although even though Bobby is his brother they rarely spend time together. But I think he likes having his own time to chill, keep his thoughts in order and eat the carrots.

Rory was at the bottom when he first arrived, although he was a baby and bossed around by the others. Puberty changed that and he is now in second place. He will spend time Billy but is much closer to Bobby. The two of them are often found fluffed up together at the edge of the cage waiting for food.

you have to let the piggies sort out their own hierarchy. Its one of those things you cannot do for them. Some piggies will find they like to be alone at least some of the times and that is ok. Keep an eye on them to make sure that it isn't depression and give them lots of love, but also give the piggies time to work out who goes where and how the new friendships will work. It's ok for things to change.

as for depression, yes piggies can get it. They also pine when their best friend dies and can die pining. I know because it happened to one of my pigs. The pig concerned had been with one piggy for nearly 7 years but at the end his best friend was a little 2 1/2 year old piggy! I would never have put the 2 of them together but they found themselves!

trust that your piggies will sort themselves out, that it might take time and they might change. That's all ok!
 
Thank you very much for your posts, I will leave them to sort themselves, it's hard when you want to step in al the time :)) Time will tell... I hate the waiting game lol! xx>>>
 
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